October 18, 2012

San Diegoís country music lovers can help raise money for medical research benefitting veterans, at the first West Coast Country Music Festival & Barbecue on Oct. 27.

Proceeds will benefit Veterans Research Corp., a nonprofit organization that provides funding for local medical research that addresses the health concerns of veterans – including post-traumatic stress disorder, Gulf War Syndrome and traumatic brain injury.

The festival will feature live music from headliner Dwight Yoakam, Hayes Carll, The White Buffalo, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash and Gabriel Kelley, according to a release. Festival patrons can also enjoy barbecue, line dancing, roping, the Miss Daisy Duke pageant and comedy at the Grand Artique stage.

The concert will be at the Marina Embarcadero North from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $125 for VIP, and can be purchased at westcoastcountrysd.com.

The TV show “The Celebrity Apprentice” has announced its new cast for the 13th season, and a San Diego celebrity is among those vying for the top spot as Donald Trumpís “apprentice.”

Brande Roderick, who lives in San Diego, is an actress, model and business owner. She has selected San Diego-based Promises2Kids as the nonprofit organization for which she will raise funds while appearing on “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.” With the mission of breaking the cycle of child abuse, Promises2Kids helps foster children realize the promise of a bright future through key programs designed to meet their special needs.

The NBC show premieres in March 2013. Throughout the season, the celebrity contestants will perform various business-like tasks to raise money for their charity of choice. The last person standing will be "hired" as the “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” and receive a $250,000 bonus check to their designated charity, according to a release.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Societyís San Diego-based Pacific South Coast chapter will host its 29th annual Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour, a cycling fundraiser to be held Saturday and Sunday, according to a release. Four different cycling rides of 15, 30, 100 and 150 miles are available.

The society expects 2,500 riders to help raise about $2 million in donations for MS research, as well as programs and services for people affected by MS -- a chronic, unpredictable and disabling disease of the central nervous system with no known cause, cure or prevention.

Information is available at biketofinishMS.com. Registration donation minimums vary from $150 to $400 per rider, depending on which one of the four rides is selected. The fundraiser is open to all levels of cyclists, and the minimum age limit for riders is 12 years.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, San Diego chapter has announced the eight community members and companies that will be honored at the upcoming National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon, presented by The San Diego Foundation, on Oct. 25.

L. Robert Payne has been named Outstanding Philanthropist, Jack Raymond is named Outstanding Organizational Volunteer, William Geppert is the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer, The Rotary Club of San Diego is the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization, San Diego Gas & Electric is recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation,

Malia Rappaport and Marquis Snowden have been named Outstanding Youth Volunteer, and Mark Stuart is the Outstanding Development Professional.

The awards give the community of San Diego the opportunity to recognize the contributions of people and organizations that are making a difference in the San Diego region. The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Tickets are $85 each and include parking, according to a release.

Make-A-Wish San Diego has recently added Katie Pothier and Matt Greene to its board of directors, according to a release.

Pothier is a partner at Wilson, Turner, Kosmo LLP. She has been a volunteer and donor to the organization for many years and is joining the board for a second term.

Greene is the founder and CEO of the business networking organization 6 Degrees. He has been a Make-A-Wish volunteer for several years, serving on various committees, and has raised thousands of dollars for the organization through 6 Degrees networking events.